New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-13

He is too busy to listen courteous.y " % te
marks Of friends or strangers 10 ms ora cmnla
diamond he is still plain Al Spalding, the hccu"uis
ton of wealth and the accession to mercantIe anu
social prominence not having changed MIN III pc
bearing whit from the modes but nsta he
young ball player of twelve years ago. Ccsp 10. 81
responsibility Of his business cares ne sun mus
keep carefully posted upon affairs oil inc gam.
the smallest detail, and while the actuai man" T.;
of the Chicago club is left to Arson. the Dig chP
scarcely If ever acts without first consulting us '
president. . ,n oorresnond
Do you think possible" asked your that
ent of Mr. Spaldng recently. to secure Ian
viii abstain absolutely from the use OF intoxicating
liquors and all other injurious excuses have men
IN nv cI,h todax Who abstain absolutely from liquor.
and whose personal habits are beyond repioaon' -,
can do this nine men OF twn that the
Chicago team shall not have Single oo o III ~.
ranks during next season. or any suceeeulhS scaso.
NV team may not be able to play ball next year as
Wen as team selected regardless OF personal haDilS
could play but Shall have the satisfaction OF knowing
that / have 20 drunkaids among them ihat maze
In consequence material from winch HI INV 'o
may be produced Ill, ms. =,
"IIave you in mind any plan by which club can be
restricted in the salaries it PAYS ~
vent it. We tried the limit rule but there were
thousand and means of evadng IT,. Inc desis TO
the best talent has embarrassed many pan
club which could have prospered and made money had
it adopted the plan OF paying young PLAYERS uP 10
required standard. and yet you the OLD eVh exists
Just the same. know of no means OF making such
clubs see the error of their ways except experience
The lesson when learned in this way is dear one but
it is lasting" :. 1000,
opinion is the cause of the failure Of so many Co anu
experienced ball players in the role of umpire
- Well that is indeed difficult question to answer
man who has the requisite qualities for baseball
umnre is TO nv mind born with them. They are rarely
acquired. He must possess thorough knowledge Oh
the rules governing the game. and more than 'his ne
must have witnessed the previous occurrence OF thc
many unexpected situations and points in play which
he is liable TO be called upon to decide Tor
goes as far as and perhaps further than knowledge OF
the game. He must possess strength OF PURPOSE ana
an unbending WILL and yet this must he leavened with
consideration and acute judgment for subbornness or
bulldog determination Is not by any means always
good Judgment Bob " Ferguson in my opinion had
the requisite qualities of good umpire In addition
to wonderfully quick eve and brain and an u' wervlng
will he possessed that subtle something which com
manded respect upon the diamond. and as result he
had less trouble than any other man who ever
attempted to fill the position. 1t is difficult berth to
fill satisfactorily not always the peasantest one
even when ones duties are smoothly discharged
Both Mr.. Spalding and Captain Arson are satisfied
with the outlook for their team next season. and AnsoD
openly asserts that Chicago will have the best ball
team he ever captained.